TINY TECH: the best small gadgets

It is impossible to know the future, but one thing looks likely: it’s going to be small. Advances in technology have led us to create ever tinier gadgets with next-gen nanotechnology set to work on the miniscule scale of molecules and atoms. For now, here are five examples of science cut down to size.

Wacaco Minipresso

Wherever you are, this mini coffee machine enables you to be your own barista and master your daily shot of espresso. The easy-to-use hand-pump system delivers a rich, smooth espresso. The operation is straightforward. Simply pack a couple of scoops of fresh ground coffee – your blend and grind of choice – into the filter basket, screw on the portafilter and add hot water to the water tank. Then turn the unit upside down over a cup, twist the piston and start pumping to deliver a large, steaming espresso, every time. Maintenance is just as easy, as all the parts are easily separated for cleaning. Weighing in a just 60 grams, you can take this compact, study machine with you even when you’re travelling light.

Price: US$ 52 wacao.com

Price: US$ 52 wacao.com

Oura Ring

Fitness trackers are by their very nature designed for those with an active lifestyle so the smaller and less obtrusive the better. Apple Watches and Fitbits slip around your wrist, but the Oura Ring takes it one step further, fitting around just one finger and weighing in at just 4 grams. There’s a lot packed in to that small size with infra-red sensors within its waterproof titanium casing to measure body temperature, heart rate and respiration as well as a 3D accelerometer to measure your activity levels. All this stored data can be easily transferred to your mobile phone through the Oura app, which is free for both iOS and Android. You can also sync your workouts to the app as it is compatible with Apple Health and Google Fit. In between transfers to the app, the smart ring will hold on to its data for up to six weeks, giving the user an in-depth insight into their sleep patterns, periods of inactivity and how their environment affects their body.

Price: US$ 299 ouraring.com

Price: US$ 299 ouraring.com

DJI Pocket 2 Camera

This travel-friendly video camera is truly pocket-sized so ideal for popping in your jacket or bag when you want to record your day trip and holiday adventures. Vloggers will love features such as its ActiveTrack 3.0, which ensures that whether the camera is in your hand while you walk and talk or placed on a table as you move around the room, it’ll keep you in the centre of the frame. The Pocket 2 also comes complete with a 3-axis mechanical stabiliser. This not only counters any handheld camera shake, it also means it stays steady as you move, turning trick shots of skateboarders or a stroll along the beach into movie-like scenes. Image quality is excellent and you can play with the super sharp 4K footage with cool extras such as Timelapse, which allows you to capture the bustle of your city break and Story Mode, which creates your own mini movies. Just select from a template and let the camera take over.

Price: US$ 480wexphotovideo.com

Davek Mini

Getting caught in the rain in Ghana is no joke. During the two annual rainy seasons, short, sudden downpours are frequent and it’s advisable to be prepared, unless when you want your outfit for the day ruined. The super compact Davek range – each measure just 17 cm when closed – is the perfect ‘justin-case’ umbrella. It is small enough to be hardly noticeable when not in use, yet with its steel shaft and reinforced fibreglass frame, able to withstand the heaviest of downpours. Davek are so sure of its sturdiness that each comes umbrella comes with its own lifetime guarantee

Price: US$ 69 davek.co.uk

Homepod Mini

Apple had expanded its smart speaker range, but its new addition is its smallest yet. The new HomePod mini is just under 8.5cm tall, but it fills a room with its sound and Apple has fitted in the same smart home Siri voice control features as the full-size HomePod. There’s also room for new features such as an Intercom system which allows users to send voice messages from one HomePod to another around a home, as well as to other Apple devices such as the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. Several mini units can also be paired together around the home and play audio in multiple rooms, while placing two HomePod mini speakers in the same room will create a stereo pairing. The new HomePod minis also have a small carbon footprint with Apple saying they are built using 99 per cent recycled rare earth elements and the mesh fabric is made with 90 per cent recycled plastic.

Price: US$ 140apple.com